Minister Agio Pereira Meets Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Presents INTERFET Memorial Project
On Tuesday, November 10th, 2026, in Dili, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met with the Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, General Ukris Boontanondha, as part of his official visit to Timor-Leste from November 10th to 12th. The meeting was followed by a visit to the former INTERFET heliport, adjacent to the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, where the future INTERFET Memorial is scheduled to be established.
During the meeting, Minister Agio Pereira welcomed the Thai delegation and presented the project's historical background, concept, and main objectives. The project aims to preserve the memory of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) and to recognise the contributions of the 22 countries that participated in the 1999 mission, which proved decisive in restoring peace and security following the Popular Consultation.
The Minister explained that the project aims to transform the former heliport into a space of historical, educational, cultural, and tourist value by rehabilitating existing structures, constructing a commemorative monument, and creating exhibition spaces, memorial gardens, and interpretive trails. The memorial also aims to promote peace education, historical research, and international cooperation, while serving as a new cultural and tourist landmark in Dili.
Agio Pereira expressed his gratitude for the confirmation of Thailand’s participation in the Core Group of Strategic Partners of the INTERFET Memorial Project, emphasising the importance of involving participating nations in developing the initiative and preserving its historical memory.
General Ukris Boontanondha expressed Thailand’s commitment to the Memorial’s realisation. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces presented Minister Agio Pereira with a photograph documenting Thai forces’ participation in the INTERFET mission in 1999, intended for inclusion in the future Memorial’s historical and exhibition collection. The gesture represents an initial contribution towards collecting historical materials associated with Thailand’s participation in the mission.
Following the meeting, General Ukris Boontanondha and his delegation visited the site designated for the Memorial, where they received a briefing on the proposed layout and key planned interventions, including the restoration of the former control tower, the conversion of the hangars, the construction of the commemorative monument, and the creation of memorial gardens, visitor routes, and historical interpretation spaces.
General Ukris Boontanondha’s official visit also includes institutional meetings and military cooperation activities. Prior to meeting Minister Agio Pereira, the Thai official paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of General Staff of the F-FDTL at the Timor-Leste Defence Forces Headquarters in Dili.
A meeting with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is scheduled for November 11th, followed by visits to military facilities and historic sites in Metinaro, Manatuto, and Baucau. The itinerary includes the Peace Operations Support Training Centre and the Heroes' Garden in Metinaro, the former PHILBATT position in Manatuto, and the Land Component Base and Baucau Airfield, where the Thai contingent THAIBATT was deployed during the international mission. The official visit concludes on November 12th following visits to Cristo Rei and Dolok Oan in Dili.
The meeting and Thailand’s involvement in the INTERFET Memorial Project reaffirm the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations and their joint commitment to preserving the memory of the 1999 international mission.
